We receive a large volume of
emails over the course of each week. While some of the questions or comments
require a personal response, there are some questions which can help the
vast majority of our readers better understand our thoughts, rules, or water
polo in general. We will not use a person's name when they send an email,
nor will we include any kind of questions which involve individual players.
We think you will enjoy this column.

Why are water polo balls
yellow? - Jillian Haslett

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After World War II, yellow was adopted for
better visibility based on the Navy's air-sea rescue equipment research in
1948.

Does a shot count if it goes
in after the buzzer? - Jason Petty

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Once
the ball has left the hand, it is counted as a goal if it goes in even after
time has expired.

What were some of the weird
rules that existed when water polo was first introduced? - Mitul Haldaria

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At first, players scored
by planting the ball on the end of the pool with both hands. A favorite
trick of the players was to place the five-to-nine inch rubber ball inside
their swimming suit and dive under the murky water, then appear again as
near the goal as possible.

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If the player came up too
near the goal, he was promptly jumped on by the goalie, who was permitted to
stand on the pool deck. Games were often nothing more than gang fights in
the water as players ignored the ball, preferring underwater wrestling
matches that usually ended with one man floating to the surface unconscious.

Are there any players in the
USWP Hall of Fame from Illinois?
- Roberto Salazar

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US Water Polo has an extensive listing of the
Hall of Fame members listed on their website. I counted 20 total players
that are listed as being from Illinois. Follow the link to access the most
recent Hall of Fame
list. (www.uswp.com)

What is the difference
between club and Varsity water polo at the collegiate level? - Tim Tsalimas

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Varsity teams are organized and
supervised by their athletic departments, have paid coaches, and follow the
NCAA rules and regulations affecting eligibility.

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The collegiate club teams on the
other hand are normally student-run. Some teams do have coaches and some of
these coaches are paid, although none are full-time. They are not required
to meet NCAA eligibility requirements, they do not offer scholarships, and
the programs are supervised by their sport club or intramural offices.

(www.collegiatewaterpolo.org)

How often will this mailbag be
updated?
- Patrick Johnson

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Once I get enough emails or
think of enough questions to update it. I would say on a weekly basis if
possible.